June 28, 2010

Job 5:26

You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,

like a sheaf gathered up in its season.

Lois' god-father, Rudy died this week at the age of 97. His service will be Tuesday.

Rudy was full of life and humor. He always had a new and fresh joke to share with us when we visited. Even though he was impaired by a stroke a few years ago his spirit and life were not.

A gentle carpenter and man of God from Moorhead who was well respected for his trade was still building in his late 80's-early 90's. More of a "strawboss" at the end he still would share his knowledge and skills with others who would implement his wisdom.

Blanche and Rudy were close to Lois and her parents. To be blessed by loved ones of such an age in this season of our lives has been one of God's gifts to us. We give thanks for Rudy and the joy he brought to our lives and relationship.

June 23, 2010

On Monday we paid our last respects to brother-in-law, Le. The visitation and service was a blessing. Our family and friends gathered before the service to visit and share some time together. The comment was  made..."we should do this more often under better circumstances."

We take the days we get and make the effort to share those days together no matter what the situation may be. Funerals or weddings, baptisms or graduations, whatever the occasion we choose to do life together "that" day.

I am learning to appreciate the "now" more and more. "Now" we can make a difference. "Now" we can hold or help each other. "Now" is the "time"... for us.

June 19th, 2010

Wes Michaels died on Thursday as a tornado destroyed his C-store in Mentor MN. It was Wes' 58th birthday. I had met Wes a couple of times with friends of ours who live only a couple miles from the store on Maple Lake. Wes was off on Thursday but as he watched the weather approach he went to the store in time to have his daughter and another woman huddle in the freezer as Wes covered his daughter's body with his own. His daughter, Heidi survived but Wes died saving his daughter's life.

As Father's Day arrives tomorrow I am moved by the loving heroic act of this father for his child. Laying his life down for hers.

God the Father covered us all with His Son's Body to save us from certain death from our sin. His Body took the debris of sin into Himself to save us. It is this Act of Grace that saves us. We place our faith and trust in Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Savior and Lord who covered us with His body in death. At the center of our faith is this Act of Grace available for all.

John's Gospel centered on this Act of Grace...
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15: 12-13

June 17th, 2010

Last night at 10:18pm my brother-in-law, Le passed away. He had fought a valiant fight with cancer. Loss of a loved one leaves a "hole" in our lives that will not be replaced with someone else. Jesus heals the "scar" of the loss of our loved one. Many times it happens over a longer period of time.

Le was my friend and family. We laughed and enjoyed many wonderful days together. I will miss him. "He made me laugh." He did and many others. His request is to have that saying be on his head stone. It will be true and will make others remember the times he made us laugh. 

Please hold Kathie (Lois' sister), their two sons, Le Michael and Chad (wife Amanda and granddaughter Lyla) in your prayers. 

He was a proud grandpa and father.

June 16th, 2010

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...
~Ecclesiastes 3:1~

On Sunday afternoon Haakon and I took a nap. When I woke up Haakon was huddled in the corner of the crib. He was looking for something...I picked him up and we hunted for his "Nuk" with no Nuk to be found in the crib. 

So we both got down of the floor to look under the crib. There it was way back in the corner. I pointed it out to Haakon and he said, "Want me to get it?" Surprised I said, "Think you can?"  Off like "GI Joe" he bellied his way to the corner and back only to return not with one but with "2-Nuks" and smile on his face. 

This season of our lives is rich with new discoveries and reclaiming the joy of the daily journey. 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...
~Ecclesiastes 3:1~ 

June 10, 2020

One month to the wedding! Details are getting covered one-by-one... The couple is excited and anticipating a wonderful day.

We have 12 yards of rock in the driveway to be spread Friday if the rain holds off. Preparations go further than one expects but it is timely. Friends have come forward to help in many ways which is a blessing.

I visited my Dad and Mom yesterday. Surprised them. They were sitting in the dinning area looking out at the beautiful day. Dad was so pleased to see me. We spent the afternoon together as family. Then I took Mother shopping. We had a great time. No pressure; just time together. It was "smell the roses" time for us.

I was reminded of Deuteronomy 6:4b-9...My parents taught me this scripture...Thanks Mom and Dad!

The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

June 3rd, 2010 A picture from Grandpa Jerry

Grandpa Jerry caught this moment on Easter 2010...
Grandpa Jerry notes that "Grandpa's keys" were more captivating than the "plastic eggs"...
What grasped your "attention" on Easter 2010?
Empty Cross or Empty Tomb?

June 1st, 2010

A bridal shower for Whitney and Colin was this weekend. With our family gathered we enjoyed the anticipation of the wedding to come. Our Haakon met my aunt Edna who was married to my uncle Haakon who died suddenly an number of years ago at the age of 53. Our little Haakon won the hearts of all those gathered for the shower.

We all headed to the nursing home to see Dad who was very lucid again. It was fun to watch Dad watch Haakon. As we left Haakon repeated several times "Bye Bye Great Grandpa!" It amused my father who smiled and said "Good bye". Life happens in moments. Precious moments never to be recaptured but remembered for a life-time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...